Westjet to charge $20 fee for second bag

[Bill Bumface]

You must layover in Winnipeg before pilot lays-over you!!

[Boblobla]

I take two bags mainly for the ease of use. I travel a lot to Fort McMurray and I like to keep all my dirty steel toed boots and inspection equipment separate from my clothing. My two bags combined are under the allowance for 1 bag.

This also sucks for parents traveling with kids. Stroller and car seat take up the baggage allowance.

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

One idea that I would like to see WestJet take from Air Canada is the ability to leave your carry-on on the bridge and they'll stow it with the strollers and other top-load stuff. I forget what they call it. Then they've got it there for you after you step off of the plane.

I try and fly all carry-on when I'm going away for one night for business. Both of my items meet the size requirements. That being said, all of the stuff that I may want access to on the flight is in my computer bag. The traveller still gets the efficiency of not having to wait at the baggage carousel and can still head straight out the door, and the cabin is less crowded. Win-win.

Sky Check

[Envitro]

So, are they going to be charging for golf clubs now if you check 1 actual bag?

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

I take two bags mainly for the ease of use. I travel a lot to Fort McMurray and I like to keep all my dirty steel toed boots and inspection equipment separate from my clothing. My two bags combined are under the allowance for 1 bag.

This also sucks for parents traveling with kids. Stroller and car seat take up the baggage allowance.

Whenever I've travelled with my kids they don't count the stroller or car seat as part of your baggage allowance.

[Claeren]

Disclaimer: I am biased.

But how does Air Canada somehow get a free pass on this? They have had baggage fees, to go along with their ridiculous fuel surcharges, for sometime now. With the second bag fee Westjet is simply taking back money being left on the table that virtually every major airline in North America is already collecting - while also making it cheaper to check 3 bags than it was before the change.

WestJet doesn't even want your $20 for the second bag, it actually saves them more than $20 if you just pack lighter and only check one bag. Of course sadly many people will just try to cram the same amount into 1 checked bag and their carry-on, but with security being pretty rigorous many people are avoiding the hassle of having them go through oversized bags, and WS can still get the revenue from oversize/overweight bags when people do over do it on the one checked item.


I am just shocked that people get so worked up about it. Like do you get mad that at a restaurant you get charged for the soda? The soda costs next to nothing, how dare they charge you for it. You are already paying $20 for the meal and it is like pasta noodles and sauce, they make their profit. Those greedy restaurants trying to gouge you are every turn!! Yeish!

Yet we all still go to restaurants. If you want soda buy soda.

If you want to check two bags pay to check two bags. If not, enjoy your flight.

Try shipping a 40lb bag across North America by some other means for anything remotely close to $20.



The single worst customer service breakdown I have ever experienced in my life was at Pearson Airport, by Air Canada. No other company/service provider has ever treated me worse than on that very loooong day. I am sure they do a good job most of the time, and both Airlines are often faced with very tricky situations, but in terms of worst case scenarios I see everyday just how far WestJet will go to keep those customers happy and fix the situation.

As for the fares themselves, WestJet sets the low price point in virtually every major route in Canada. Eastern Triangle is the one exception, as fares are all over the place (and generally very low across the board). Air Canada matches on most routes but has to hide a number of fees to try and eek out a profit, and their prices would be much higher if not for WestJet. In fact, Air Canada makes up much of its profit charging extra fees on routes where WestJet does NOT compete, because it is so easy to do so. Fuel surcharges on WestJet-competing routes were handled more tightly by AC than on international and/or non-WestJet competing routes. Canada needs BOTH airlines though, it is healthy, so it really should just be about which one works for you on a given day/trip...




Claeren.

[Finny61]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Whenever I've travelled with my kids they don't count the stroller or car seat as part of your baggage allowance.

I plan on following up with Westjet on this one because my impression was we would get charged $20 for taking both a stroller and carseat.

[mykalberta]

I checked AC website, they dont charge for 2 checked bags within Canada or US.

[Claeren]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

I checked AC website, they dont charge for 2 checked bags within Canada or US.

http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelin...e/checked.html


According to this (their own website) they charge for a 2nd bag everywhere except Canada-to-Canada. I believe they tried to and pulled back because WestJet did not match. Now that WestJet has matched Air Canada will surely start charging again.



Claeren.

[Claeren]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Whenever I've travelled with my kids they don't count the stroller or car seat as part of your baggage allowance.

I believe this is current:

Travelling with an infant

• One child under the age of two years may travel at no additional charge provided they are accompanied by one fare paying adult guest and are seated on the adult's lap for the duration of the flight.
• Safety: The adult must hold the infant during taxi, takeoff, landing, any time the seatbelt sign is illuminated and when instructed to do so by the flight crew.
• Car seats: A seat may be purchased for the infant. If the infant is not restrained in a seat certified for motor vehicle or aircraft use, the adult must hold the infant during taxi, takeoff, landing, any time the seatbelt sign is illuminated and when instructed to do so by the flight crew. Please call WestJet at 1-888-WESTJET (937-8538) for more information on Transport Canada approved car seats.
• August 25, 2008, the AmSafe Child Restraint System (CARES), a harness and buckle device that attaches directly to the aircraft seat will be permitted for use on board WestJet aircraft as an alternative to a car seat. Please call WestJet at 1-888-WESTJET (937-8538) for more information on this Transport Canada approved restraint system.
• Identification: All parties require identification at the airport. Please bring identification for your infant, as it will be checked. For domestic travel, it can be in the form of a birth certificate or birth registry. Photocopies are acceptable. For international travel, your infant must meet entrance requirements at customs.
• Extra baggage allowance: Guests travelling with infants may check in a car seat and stroller at no additional charge. A playpen may be substituted for either a car seat or stroller.
• Seat Selection: When travelling with an infant, seat selection will not be available for online purchase. Please contact the call centre at 1-888-937-8538 to purchase your seats in advance.

For sports equipment like skis or golf clubs, the only fee is $20. No oversize fees apply unless something is clearly excessive. 'Skis' refer to the skis, poles, and boots. That one sucks for me as I loved flying out to Kelowna last year to ski...


Claeren.

[Ashartus]

I don't have a problem with charging for the 2nd bag - even traveling with kids one bag per person is usually plenty except for long trips. Since Air Canada only stopped charging for the 2nd bag because WestJet wasn't I imagine they'll follow suite pretty quickly. I hate flying the various US airlines and getting dinged for the first bag as well - except for short business trips pretty much everyone needs one checked bag so that should be included in the ticket price upfront IMO.

One thing I've noticed is that even when WestJet and Air Canada have the same base price showing for a flight, by the time you go through the booking process and have all the additional fees and taxes added, Air Canada ends up a bit higher. Usually I don't worry about a few dollars and pick the flight at the most convenient time, but it would be nice if they'd switch to showing the real price of the flight.

[Finny61]

Originally Posted by Claeren

I believe this is current:



Travelling with an infant

• One child under the age of two years may travel at no additional charge provided they are accompanied by one fare paying adult guest and are seated on the adult's lap for the duration of the flight.
• Safety: The adult must hold the infant during taxi, takeoff, landing, any time the seatbelt sign is illuminated and when instructed to do so by the flight crew.
• Car seats: A seat may be purchased for the infant. If the infant is not restrained in a seat certified for motor vehicle or aircraft use, the adult must hold the infant during taxi, takeoff, landing, any time the seatbelt sign is illuminated and when instructed to do so by the flight crew. Please call WestJet at 1-888-WESTJET (937-8538) for more information on Transport Canada approved car seats.
• August 25, 2008, the AmSafe Child Restraint System (CARES), a harness and buckle device that attaches directly to the aircraft seat will be permitted for use on board WestJet aircraft as an alternative to a car seat. Please call WestJet at 1-888-WESTJET (937-8538) for more information on this Transport Canada approved restraint system.
• Identification: All parties require identification at the airport. Please bring identification for your infant, as it will be checked. For domestic travel, it can be in the form of a birth certificate or birth registry. Photocopies are acceptable. For international travel, your infant must meet entrance requirements at customs.
• Extra baggage allowance: Guests travelling with infants may check in a car seat and stroller at no additional charge. A playpen may be substituted for either a car seat or stroller.
• Seat Selection: When travelling with an infant, seat selection will not be available for online purchase. Please contact the call centre at 1-888-937-8538 to purchase your seats in advance.

For sports equipment like skis or golf clubs, the only fee is $20. No oversize fees apply unless something is clearly excessive. 'Skis' refer to the skis, poles, and boots. That one sucks for me as I loved flying out to Kelowna last year to ski...


Claeren.

Understandable for children under the age of 2, but once they are over that age you have to pay for a seat like anyone else plus likely still need both the car seat and stroller. Not complaining, just noting it.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Originally Posted by Claeren

http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelin...e/checked.html


According to this (their own website) they charge for a 2nd bag everywhere except Canada-to-Canada. I believe they tried to and pulled back because WestJet did not match. Now that WestJet has matched Air Canada will surely start charging again.



Claeren.

Weird. When I have traveled with the family down to the US it has always been 2 allowed for each of them. Never a mention of 1 bag.

[Claeren]

Originally Posted by Finny61

Understandable for children under the age of 2, but once they are over that age you have to pay for a seat like anyone else plus likely still need both the car seat and stroller. Not complaining, just noting it.

I am pretty sure the stroller stays free, as long as it is small (not one of those athletic super sized strollers).

I am not positive but if the car seat counts as its own piece, I think one could make that the child's luggage and then just pack their clothes in the parents bags? (or pay $20 for one extra piece of luggage for a family of 3+ people, which as a single traveler with no dependents etc who generally packs light and never checks a bag I would not feel compelled to feel bad about. Although I do wish everyone in the world could get something for nothing... me included! lol)

I believe most major WestJet cities will lend you (with small deposit?) an approved car seat to use while visiting, I know YYC does it for incoming travelers, I have been in the room where they are stored.



Claeren.

[Claeren]

Originally Posted by Bend it like Bourgeois

Weird. When I have traveled with the family down to the US it has always been 2 allowed for each of them. Never a mention of 1 bag.

I believe it has been changing quite a bit for all airlines, across the industry, as they look for a model that works toward internal goals without compromising competitiveness. So I wouldn't be surprised if Air Canada has changed it recently or does not charge on Canada-to-USA routes that WestJet also flies?



Claeren.

[Ashartus]

Originally Posted by Claeren

I am pretty sure the stroller stays free, as long as it is small (not one of those athletic super sized strollers).


Claeren.

Even the super-sized strollers are free. Car seats are free on WestJet but counts towards the checked baggage allowance on Air Canada. The US airlines I've flown also allow the stroller and car seat for free (even the ones that charge for the first checked bag).

[billybob123]

Originally Posted by Claeren

I am just shocked that people get so worked up about it. Like do you get mad that at a restaurant you get charged for the soda? The soda costs next to nothing, how dare they charge you for it. You are already paying $20 for the meal and it is like pasta noodles and sauce, they make their profit. Those greedy restaurants trying to gouge you are every turn!! Yeish!

Yet we all still go to restaurants. If you want soda buy soda.

This isn't quite the perfect analogy. It would be more like one restaurant (let's call it Westrestaurant) sent out a series of TV, bus, and print ads that say their competitor (let's call them Air Restauranada) charges for soda. We don't. We promise we won't charge you for soda. That's one of the many reasons we're better than Air Restauranada.

And then, less than a year later, inform your customers that you're now charging for that soda you said differentiated you from the others.

Why go to Westrestaurant anymore? They're no different than Air Restauranada.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by Finny61

Understandable for children under the age of 2, but once they are over that age you have to pay for a seat like anyone else plus likely still need both the car seat and stroller. Not complaining, just noting it.

But with their own seat would come another checked bag allowance. So an adult and a child could presumably check two bags, a stroller, a car seat, and bring 4 bags of carry-on. All included in the fare.

Edit: Of course, there's probably a rule that the passenger must be able to carry-on their own carry-on.

[Bigtime]

Well now I'm hungry.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Well now I'm hungry.

I'm going to go have a soda.